In our online textbook, some educational issues are dealt with and discussed. One of the issues in child abuse within the schools. A scenario is given and the reader is expected to think about the decision that one would make in this situation. Within the scenario, there is also a hyperlink to a website that promotes the prevention of child abuse. This issue is a very touchy subject that a teacher may have to deal with in his or her classroom. The website provides a way to explore the prevention of child abuse.
As a future educator, it is very important for me to be aware of the issues that I will encounter in the school setting. Child abuse is not as uncommon as believed by most people and we, as educators, are required to report suspected abuse cases. Although it can be difficult to know if the child is truly being abused, if there is suspected abuse, it must be reported to the school authorities. It is important for future educators to know the process by which they must report suspected child abuse.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Electronic Mail and the Importance of "Netiquette"
From the online textbook site, Teachers Discovering Computers, in the "Teaching Today" corner from Chapter 2, discussion is given to a more detailed area in which “netiquette" should be used. This area is electronic mail, or better known as e-mail. E-mail has become a preferred means of communication for many businesses, schools, and individuals. Teachers, as well as students, should be aware of netiquette to help ensure the recipients are aware of the intent behind the e-mail messages that are being sent. Netiquette will help teachers and students transcend many of the problems which can arise from abuse of the use of email. Netiquette is network etiquette, or the dos and don’ts of online communication. Netiquette covers both common courtesy online and the informal “rules” of cyberspace.
Communication is a key area of being a good and efficient educator. In today’s classroom, one of the key ways teachers communicate with parents, colleges, and administration is through email. It is important for teachers to present themselves in a professional way, even through this mode of communication. One way for teachers to do this is by knowing and applying the rules of netiquette. This helps to create a sense of online community. A positive atmosphere and tone can reduce anxiety about communicating via email and contribute to a positive classroom environment.
Using Computer Software to Aid Struggling Learners
Through the textbook website mentioned in my previous post, I discovered an important resource. The site offers a link to the RiverDeep website. This site offers a variety of software options for math, reading, science, and social studies. There is software for grades K-12 in all of these subjects. They offer guides and practice for students. Since they are interactive, these different software applications help keep students' interest and encourage learning. This is a great site for finding something to aid a struggling learner. Teachers that have a student or students that are struggling in one or most subject areas should look at this site for resources. Software can be a great help to students, so check out this site: http://web.riverdeep.net/portal/page?_pageid=818,1381924&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
Teaching with the Web!
The online supplement to our textbook for Comp 204 provides a nice list of resources in the "Integration Corner" on the website. One site that I found particularly useful was under the Early Childhood Corner and was called Teaching with the Web! This site is not only useful for early childhood classrooms but can be used to integrate technology into even the high school setting. The website separates themes by gradebands K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Within these gradebands, various themes that are dealt with in these years are hyperlinked to useful websites that can be used as supplements to classroom lessons. These websites often have a interactive nature that allow for easy integration of technology into the classroom.
In my future classroom, I could use this website as a tool to enhance learning. Students could access this website in the classroom or from home and use the resources provided to learn more about topics that are discussed in class. Some of the websites listed are interactive and can be used to engage the students in the classroom.
In my future classroom, I could use this website as a tool to enhance learning. Students could access this website in the classroom or from home and use the resources provided to learn more about topics that are discussed in class. Some of the websites listed are interactive and can be used to engage the students in the classroom.
A Kid's Guide to Etiquette on the Net
The textbook, Teachers Discovering Computers, provides many great connections for teachers to use in their specific discipline. From the "Integration" corner from Chapter 2, under the Early Childhood discipline, there is a web article provided which discusses internet etiquette-or "netiquette"-which informs teachers how to guide children in proper behavior on the internet. It is important for students to learn "manners" when surfing the web. Some rules suggested by the website include do unto others as you would have others do unto you, do not type in all capital letters for emphasis, be careful not to use rude or bad language online, don't break any laws, be universal and remember that other users have different Web browers, make a good impression, and be patient with newcomers. It is also important for students to maintain manners when using email and online discussion groups.
This website is a good reminder to Elementary and Early Childhood educators especially to help students develop good web skills and manners when using the internet. A teacher should not want his or her students to venture onto the World Wide Web in the classroom setting without them being familliar with the acceptable rules of Internet behavior. As an elementary teacher, I need to remind my students to be polite and courteous at all times when communicating on the computer as well as be respectful to the resources that are being provided for them. Teachers should develop "netiquette" boundaries for their students in the classroom to help facilitate proper use of technology in the classroom.
This website is a good reminder to Elementary and Early Childhood educators especially to help students develop good web skills and manners when using the internet. A teacher should not want his or her students to venture onto the World Wide Web in the classroom setting without them being familliar with the acceptable rules of Internet behavior. As an elementary teacher, I need to remind my students to be polite and courteous at all times when communicating on the computer as well as be respectful to the resources that are being provided for them. Teachers should develop "netiquette" boundaries for their students in the classroom to help facilitate proper use of technology in the classroom.
FactMonster.com
Today I discovered FactMonster.com through the "Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom" textbook website. This is the URL: http://oc.course.com/sc/tdc5/index.cfm?action=home. This website is a fun, interactive, and informative resource for students in the elementary grades. There are games and resources for a variety of subjects such as the United States, math, science, vocabulary terms, and important people. Under each topic are a variety of subtopics. I clicked on the United States and was given subtopics such as geography, states, landmarks, history, government, cities, population, laws, and important documents and speeches. There are some really great educational resources here. For example, under U.S history, they offer a comprehensive timeline of important events. What a great study tool!
Teachers can use this site to help students understand and enjoy the different topics they are learning about. They can print off the resources, such as timelines or worksheets and distribute them to the students as homework and study guides. The games and interactive lessons offered on the site can be used by educators to help students review material in a fun and meaningful way. Also, teachers can offer this website as a safe, age appropriate webpage for research on projects. This is a great site that can be used creatively by elementary school teachers to supplement lessons in a variety of subject areas. Check it out at: http://www.factmonster.com/
Teachers can use this site to help students understand and enjoy the different topics they are learning about. They can print off the resources, such as timelines or worksheets and distribute them to the students as homework and study guides. The games and interactive lessons offered on the site can be used by educators to help students review material in a fun and meaningful way. Also, teachers can offer this website as a safe, age appropriate webpage for research on projects. This is a great site that can be used creatively by elementary school teachers to supplement lessons in a variety of subject areas. Check it out at: http://www.factmonster.com/
Sunday, November 1, 2009
SharePoint Designer
Recently we've been learning how to use Microsoft's SharePoint Designer. This software allows the user to create their own webpage. You can upload photos and add lots of textual information. It is very easy to add hyperlinks to other web pages into your page. Cascade Style Sheets are great ways to make your page have a uniform color scheme and font. All you have to do is add the folder to the sidebar in SharePoint Designer. Then, just click on the Style Sheet you are interested in and drag it to your page. Ta da! You have a brightly colored page and your font is all the same! SharePoint Designer is a simple and enjoyable way to create your own webpage.
As a future educator, this software could be very useful. You could create a site for your classroom. Then, you could add photos and descriptions to the page. This is a great way to show your student's parents what is going on in the classroom and what the students will be working on next. You could make different tabs within your page for different subjects. On each subject page you could add an in depth description of what you hope to accomplish in that area throughout the year. For the students you could write up homework assignments and add hyperlinks to useful websites. This is a great resources for future teachers.
As a future educator, this software could be very useful. You could create a site for your classroom. Then, you could add photos and descriptions to the page. This is a great way to show your student's parents what is going on in the classroom and what the students will be working on next. You could make different tabs within your page for different subjects. On each subject page you could add an in depth description of what you hope to accomplish in that area throughout the year. For the students you could write up homework assignments and add hyperlinks to useful websites. This is a great resources for future teachers.
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